ICAN Launches Advocacy Project for Adoption Medicine
The Institute for Children of All Nations (ICAN) is excited to have begun their first adovcacy project. The project will focus on advocating for The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to require adoption medicine in residency and continuing medical education courses. Pediatricians are well-trained in pediatric medicine, but few have been trained on the issues specific to internationally adopted children. As international adoptions increase, so should the knowledge about the adoption world and adoption medicine. ICAN will have more updates on their progress on the ICAN site. Please take a moment to read about this project and sign our petition to help make a difference in the medical care these Waiting Children receive.
New Latvia Waiting Children Added!!
We are thrilled to announce that the Latvia government has made more children available for international adoption! If you are called to adopt, we encourage you to learn more about these children to see if your child is waiting for you! To access to our entire agency list, please register online. Remember, there is no cost to register, and you may discover the perfect addition to your family! Also, our ICAN File Review Referral Program gives our families access to physicians who are experts in the field of adoption medicine, who have screened thousands of medical reports.
New Philippines Waiting Children Added!!
We are thrilled to announce that the Philippines government has made more children available for international adoption! If you are called to adopt, we encourage you to learn more about these children to see if your child is waiting for you! To access to our entire agency list, please register online. Remember, there is no cost to register, and you may discover the perfect addition to your family! Our new ICAN File Review Referral Program gives our families access to physicians who are experts in the field of adoption medicine, who have screened thousands of medical reports.
CAN Launches the Institute for Children of All Nations (ICAN)!
The Institute for Children of All Nations (ICAN) has officially launched, connecting adoption and special needs related resources, education, services and research to waiting children around the world. ICAN strongly believes that children with special needs are the most vulnerable, and the mission is to advocate for and find homes for these waiting children.
ICAN is part of Great Wall China Adoption/Children of All Nations, a leader in international adoption for over 14 years. Among the 8,000 adoptions facilitated to date, over 600 of these have been waiting children. ICAN also works in collaboration with the Child and Family Center for Innovative Research, University of Houston. <More>
Haiti Still Needs our Help!
We want to give huge thanks to all of you who so generously donated to our Haiti Fund! With the funds we raised, our partner orphanage was able to continue rebuilding the security wall, digging a well and repairing damage to buildings. The ultimate goal is to secure property outside of Port au Prince where the orphanage can become more self-sufficient and provide greater security for the children.
We are continuing to do all we can to help Haiti rebuild. If you would like to help relief efforts, we invite you to donate today! Please be sure to denote "Haiti Relief" in the "In Honor of" field. <More>
2010 Beyond Borders International Adoption
We are excited to announce that our annual adoption conference will be held Saturday, September 25 – Sunday, September 26 in San Antonio, TX at the Holiday Inn Riverwalk Hotel. Previously known as the “East Meets West” conference, this annual conference was renamed to “Beyond Borders” in order to better reflect the adoption and humanitarian aid needs of the more than 140 million orphans worldwide. This year’s conference will place special emphasis on Waiting Child Programs which focus on older and special needs children waiting to be adopted.
Beyond Borders is the only conference of its kind bringing together adoption leaders and families from all over the United States and world. This conference will aim to inspire, educate and generate awareness for international adoption advocates so that we can all continue impacting positive change in the adoption industry. Bonded through our passion of helping children, together we can continue making a difference worldwide for orphans in need of families. <More>
CAN Continues to Lead the Way in Haiti
As you know, Children of All Nations (CAN) resumed our Haiti adoption program in March. During a visit from the director of our orphanage in Port-au-Prince, we learned of the Haitian Adoption Authority's approval to resume adoptions, and we were among the first agencies to break this exciting news.
Today, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Department announced it will resume processing adoptions from Haiti. According to the release, “intercountry adoption cases involving Haitian orphans will again be processed through normal procedures. The government of Haiti has already begun accepting new documents for adoption cases and the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has resumed regular processing.”
CAN is very pleased to be at the forefront of this important progress, and we look forward to helping families answer the call of Haiti’s children in need.
We are now accepting Lativa Applications!
Children of All Nations (CAN) is proud to announce the launch of our Latvia adoption program! This is a wonderful opportunity for single women and married couples to adopt children with no known special needs (9 years and older), sibling groups of three or more (all ages), and children with special needs (all ages).
We are accepting applications now! Please be sure your family meets all requirements before you apply. To review the requirements, please visit http://www.childrenofallnations.com/latvia-adoption-requirements. If your family is ready to be considered, please access our Agency Application here: http://www.childrenofallnations.com/apply. We will work as quickly as possible to process your application.
To learn more about our Latvia program, including adoption processes and costs, please visit http://www.childrenofallnations.com/latvia.
For a complete CAN Outreach Guide packet, including a Sample Service Agreement, please visit http://www.childrenofallnations.com/outr.
We look forward to working with your family!
NEW Hague Online Courses Available!!!
Prospective adoptive parents currently in an international adoption process through a Hague Convention country must complete 10 total hours of parent education. Great Wall’s Online Hague Parent Education Courses provide an easy and comprehensive training program on all required topics and meet the guidelines of the Hague Adoption Convention.
To better serve our families, we have added two new courses to our online course catalog: "The Waiting Child" and "Adopting the Older Child." <More>
Trend Watchers Look to GWCA for China Adoption News
China adoption is a very hot topic these days, and the media have turned to Great Wall China Adoption to learn about the trends that are impacting families who want to adopt. More and more, these families are looking to China’s Waiting Child Program as the means to welcome home the child they long for. Snow Wu, President/CEO of Great Wall China Adoption sat with David Crary of the Associate Press to shed some light on this program. To learn more about Waiting Children and the climate of China adoption, please read this article.
China Insight Magazine also turned to us to highlight issues in China adoption. Please find the China Insight article here.
Children of All Nations is Expanding to Latvia!
Children of All Nations (CAN) is proud to announce that it is expanding to include an adoption program in Latvia! Beginning in April of 2010, CAN will offer child placing services for American families in the U.S. and abroad who wish to welcome a Latvian child into their homes. This is a wonderful opportunity for single women and married couples to adopt children with no known special needs 9 years and older, sibling groups of three or more (all ages), and children with special needs (all ages).
CAN’s Latvia program is the newest addition to its Ethiopia, Rwanda, Mexico, Philippines and Haiti adoption programs. We draw on over 14 years of experience in placing children and initiating charity programs focused on child welfare.
Program details are coming soon!
Adoption Federal Tax Credit has Increased!
The adoption community received great news this week with the signing of the new Health Care Bill! The Federal Tax Credit available to adoptive families has been increased from $12,150 to $13,170. While the Tax Credit has not become permanent, it has been extended to December of 2011. For the first time, families are also eligible for an IRS refund for documented adoption expenses. We are so pleased that the US government is taking action to allow more families to follow their call to adopt a child in need. <More>
Haiti Adoption Moves Forward!
We received a visit from the director of our partner orphanage who shared wonderful news! The central adoption authority in Haiti is now accepting applications allowing families who feel called to adopt from Haiti to move forward. <More>
CAN has received another referral from Rwanda!
Children of All Nations (CAN) is thrilled to announce that we have received our first referral for a little girl from Ethiopia in less than three months! We are very impressed with the quick pace of international adoption from Ethiopia, and we look forward to matching more families with the beautiful children who are waiting for their forever families. To learn more about our program to see if it is a good fit for your family, please click here.
It’s Not Too Late to Take a Deduction on Your 2009 Taxes!
The IRS has recently announced that taxpayers who itemize deductions on their 2009 return can still qualify for a deduction by donating to Haiti earthquake relief efforts! A monetary donation must be made between January 11 and March 1, 2010 to qualify.
Children of All Nations is still accepting donations to support the orphanage we work with in Port-au-Prince. On January 26, the orphanage accepted 40 new orphans into their care. Donations to purchase food, fuel, medications, and clean water will be crucial to helping rebuild the orphanage and properly care for all of the children.
Donations in any amount can be sent to our headquarters or made online at http://www.gwca.org/donate/general-donation/donate.php. Please note in the “in honor of” field that your donation is intended for earthquake relief.
Children of All Nations Haiti Adoption Update
Children of All Nations (CAN) continues to monitor the situation in Haiti and will provide adoption updates as they become available. While we cannot yet predict when new applications for adoption will be processed, our drive to help the children of Haiti remains strong.
There is some good news this week from the orphanage that we partner with in Port-au-Prince. 79 of the children who were already in the adoption process have arrived in the United States and are being united with their adoptive families. We are lucky to work with such a dedicated staff in Haiti. They plan to rebuild as soon as possible and have already accepted 30 new orphans into their care.
CAN is still accepting donations for the orphanage to meet the immediate needs of the children and staff in the aftermath of the recent earthquake and to help with rebuilding. The most effective donations at this time are monetary donations to purchase food, fuel, medications, and clean water. Donations can be sent to our headquarters or made online at http://www.gwca.org/donate/general-donation/donate.php. Please note on the credit card authorization form that your donation is intended for earthquake relief.
U.S. Department of State Update on Haiti Adoption
As Secretary of State Clinton said on January 20, “Children are especially vulnerable in any disaster, especially those without parents or other guardians to look after them. This devastating earthquake has left many in need of assistance, and their welfare is of paramount concern as we move forward with our rescue and relief efforts.”
Together with the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department is processing and evacuating as quickly as possible those orphans who were identified for adoption by American citizens before the earthquake. <More>
First Referral for a Girl from Ethiopia Received Earlier than Expected!
Children of All Nations (CAN) is thrilled to announce that we have received our first referral for a little girl from Ethiopia in less than three months! We are very impressed with the quick pace of international adoption from Ethiopia, and we look forward to matching more families with the beautiful children who are waiting for their forever families. To learn more about our program to see if it is a good fit for your family, please click here.
Children of All Nations Accepting Donations For Haiti Earthquake Relief
Children of All Nations is currently accepting donations to support relief efforts at our orphanage (crèche) in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The crèche will be in need of great physical assistance in the coming days and is expected to become a place where birth families, staff and neighbors seek humanitarian aid and comfort. The most effective donations at this time will be monetary donations to purchase food, fuel, medications and clean water. <More>
From Rwanda -- It's a girl!!
In less than four months from the date of dossier registration, a Children of All Nations (CAN) family has received a referral from Rwanda! We could not be happier for the family. With families matched with children from Ethiopia, Rwanda and the Philippines, we are excited to keep this momentum going!! At this pace, families can complete adoptions in a fraction of the time. If you are interested in getting started, submit your CAN application today!
GWCA Lauches New Charity Mission
Great Wall China Adoption (GWCA) is launching a new charity mission for 2010 to assist orphanage directors in submitting the paperwork of children waiting for adoption and hopefully speeding up the referral process by doing so! <More>
Children of All Nations Adds Haiti Adoption Program
Children of All Nations (CAN) is proud to announce that it is expanding to include adoptions from Haiti! Beginning in 2010, CAN will place children of all ages with adoptive families in the U.S. <More>
We are now accepting applications for the Philippines!
Children of All Nations (CAN) is excited to announce that we are officially accepting applications for our Philippines adoption program. The wait is over and CAN adoption consultants are ready to help you complete your family through adoption from the Philippines! <More>
Ethiopia referral received in less than two months!
In less than two months from the date of dossier registration, a Children of All Nations (CAN) family has received a referral from Ethiopia! We are very excited to share this news with our families, especially those who are concerned about the current wait time for international adoption around the world. CAN’s new programs are going strong at a very quick pace. Families can now complete their international adoption in a fraction of the time!
November is National Adoption Month
November is National Adoption month and we at Children of all Nations and Great Wall China Adoption encourage you to consider this month, and always, how you can help children in need. <More>
Join us for our National Adoption Day Event!
Join us! Families at all stages of the adoption process are invited to attend Great Wall China Adoption and Children of All Nations’ first Celebrate and Educate Adoption Day Event! We aim to connect families with agency experts, international consulate representatives, social workers, and other adoption professionals to share information and give insight into the issues faced throughout the international adoption journey. <More>
A Texas Style Welcome to the China Ministry Officials & Orphanage Directors
The recent visit to Austin by Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs members and orphanage directors was by all means a great success. Great Wall China Adoption, Children of all Nations' parent company, hosted the delegation throughout their stay.
The delegation visited Casis Elementary School, where they were greeted by numerous students and administrators with a welcoming “ni hao.” They toured the campus with adopted students and their parents. The delegation learned about the implementation of special education into the public school system and how Casis successfully meets the needs of students with disabilities.
We also met with staff of Helping Hand Home for Children. The delegation was extremely interested in the success that Helping Hand has had providing foster care to children for over 116 years. The delegation was able to ask the staff questions on how to best care for children who have suffered emotional or physical trauma, as well as the way that a foster home operates within legal and governmental parameters in the U.S. We toured the facility and met some of the children residing at the home.
Wednesday night adoptive families at all stages of the adoption process met with the delegation at a BBQ reception. Families were able to visit with the delegation and ask questions about China and the adoption process. Children wore costumes and showed the delegation how to “Trick or Treat.”
We hope that you will be able to join us for future Great Wall events. Please enjoy the photos, as well as the delegation’s responses to questions asked at the reception.
Q: What do you feel is the most important part of Chinese Culture that we can teach our Daughter when she comes to us from China?
A: The essence of Chinese culture is respecting your elders, caring for young and taking responsibility for your family and society.
Q: Who at an orphanage usually determines which children will be made available for international adoption? How do they determine which children will be made available for international adoption?
A: It is the responsibility of the local Civil Affairs officials, rather than orphanage directors, to determine whether or not a child is legitimately orphaned, and therefore available for international adoption. Once this has been determined, it is the orphanage's responsibility to prepare the child's paperwork for international adoption, and send that information to the CCAA. It is also important to note that in order for a child to be adopted internationally, the prospective parents must work with an adoption agency that is fully Hague accredited, and in a country that has been approved by the Prime Minister of China to participate in the international adoption program.
Q: Can the delegation comment on whether CCAA anticipates making any changes to the number of children referred for international adoption?
A: The CCAA does not determine which children are available for international adoption. Instead, it is the responsibility of the Civil Affairs officials in each province. The focus of these officials is not necessarily to increase the number of children referred for international adoption, but to make sure each child is legitimately orphaned and that the process meets the highest ethical standards. A thorough screening process is associated with each stage of international adoption that must meet committee approval.
Q: What can we do to add more orphanages to the international adoption process?
A: The current reality in China is that the strengthening economy is affecting the number of children in need. Today, Chinese citizens are able to devote more resources to social welfare and are committed to caring for those in need. This is a very positive trend that is decreasing the amount of abandoned children. It is our responsibility to ensure that EVERY child receives care, and we will continue to work to find loving homes for China’s orphaned children.
Q: Why is it taking so long for China to complete the referral process? This is very frustrating. Will the process begin to move more quickly anytime soon?
A: We are continually working to make progress to promote the welfare of all children in China, and a key component of that is to find proper home for all abandoned children. Right now, we are conducting surveys to collect accurate statistics on abandoned children. With this information, we are building a database that will aid in managing the adoption process with increased efficiency.
We are also focusing our attention on placing children with special needs with forever families. With so many children with special medical needs in need of loving homes, the wait time for these children is often shorter.
